POP airport Uber experience

We arrived in POP on the new Miami AA late flight a few days ago, was supposed to land at 11:14pm but it was 2 hours late. My ride fell asleep at home so I had no transportation, I figured I would try Uber. Most people had left already and it looked relatively quiet. After realizing my ride wasnt showing up I called an Uber and he showed up about 12 minutes later. I had moved away from the receiving area not to cause a problem with the taxis. As soon as the driver showed up, about 8 taxi drivers with police and others showed up out of nowhere and the shouting started. I moved away and didn't wanna get involved, even though I could have told everyone that he is my friend picking me up. But it looks like they had this guy on the radar.

I ended up negotiating a fare for US$40 to Cofresi, which is normally listed for US$60 or US$70 from the airport.

Just haggle with the taxi drivers already there, pick a price and say that is all the cash I have on me, if you wait a bit, they will find someone willing to take you for your price (after others gone) - no A/C for sure though !

Uber on the north coast is under unrelenting pressure from the taxi mafia. It is routine for drivers to refuse to pick up at the airports and at the major hotels. This trend seems to have expanded to pick ups going to the airport from less contentious locations. It is not a rare occurrence that there are no Uber cars available late at night, especially after midnight.

Uber drivers are almost always immediately swarmed by taxi drivers and given a hard time at locations the taxi drivers consider their "own turf". Uber is great and cheap for getting from place to place when there isn't a herd of taxis sitting under a shade tree watching and waiting for Uber drivers.

I am in Puerto Plata now and have a rental so I haven’t taken an Uber. But have been looking at the Uber prices and they are very inexpensive. Hopefully you will be able to Uber everywhere eventually. It will be really be a game changer for people visiting or living here.

I am in Puerto Plata now and have a rental so I haven’t taken an Uber. But have been looking at the Uber prices and they are very inexpensive..................

Very inexpensive indeed, dirt cheap .......... except when they impose a surcharge for either lack of available vehicles or available vehicles are busy, busy. So always beware of the possible surcharge which is most cases you would be better off dialing up a "regular" taxi service. In Santo Domingo it doesn't happen often but when it does, WOW.

I make it a habit to always have at least a 50 or 100 pesos bill to give as a tip. A tip is not mandatory but with the low Uber rates plus a tip you most likely still end up cheaper than a normal cab.

It is good to remember that taxi owners have to buy a very expensive franchise to be able to "stand" at a place. So I understand them not being happy when a vehicle picks up right where they were waiting and charges cut-throat prices. Speaking of cut-throat, I have to wonder about some of the really cheap prices quoted above. And I also think that only one missed flights on departure will nullify all the cheap prices.
I have taken Uber in Ottawa Canada and 2 times out of 3 have had bad experience. Yes, fare was adjusted after I complained but on my last exit I took a regular taxi.

Too funny, when by themselves these guys are nothing but a
bunch of p*ssies. How do I know? While walking through the
heart of Santiago they are constantly in my face yelling "taxi, taxi!"
So I just look at them and yell " Uber, Uber!" Trust me, no one
plays that tough guy role when they're all alone.